Possessive Companion

In the case of possessive companions, a distinction is made between stressed and unstressed companions. Unstressed companions always stand before the noun, while stressed companions are re-enacted. Both groups of companions follow the number of the noun they specify.

However, they do not follow the genus of the noun, except in the 1st and 2nd person plural with its masculine and feminine forms.

Unstressed possessive companions

Singular

Plural

Yo

Mi

Mis

Tú

Tu

Tus

Él/ella, usted

Su

Sus

Nosotros/-as

Nuestro/-a

Nuestros/-as

Vosotros/-as

Vuestro/-a

Vuestros/-as

Ellos/-as, ustedes

Su

Sus

Estos son mis zapatos

Ella es su madre.

Since the companions su and sus have no masculine and feminine form, they have several meanings. With su you can refer to él, ella, usted; and sus can stand for ellos, ellas and ustedes. From this context it should become clear which term is the right one.

Su

Masculine – his, your

Feminine – her, your

With possessive companions it is important to know the connection. You have to know to which person or thing the companion refers (my book – whose?). If it is not clear who is meant, the preposition de and the personal pronoun or name can be used.

Ricarda es la hermana de él.

Esto es su coche. El coche de él.

Stressed possessive companions

Singular

Plural

Yo

Mío/-a

Míos/-as

Tú

Tuyo/-a

Tuyos/as

Él/ella, usted

Suyo/-a

Suyos/-as

Nosotros/-as

Nuestro/-a

Nuestros/-as

Vosotros/-as

Vuestro/-a

Vuestros/-as

Ellos/-as, ustedes

Suyo/-a

Suyos/-as

Stressed possessive pronouns stand behind the noun and emphasize the relationship of possession and affiliation.

Los hijos suyos ya son muy altos.

¿El perrito es tuyo?

Unstressed companion:

Un amigo mío – A friend of mine

The difference between the possessive companion and the possessive pronoun becomes clearer after the verb. If the companion (without articles) after that, it means as much as belong.